Sit Lie Law Sequel: Sidewalks are for People Celebration Returns Saturday, April 24th

“On Saturday, April 24, San Franciscans opposing Mayor Newsom’s and Police Chief Gascón’s Sit-Lie ordinance will stage a follow up event to last month’s hugely successful “Sidewalks are for People” citywide celebration of public space and culture. Last month’s event shifted the momentum against the ordinance, creating a media frenzy that reached all the way to London and the BBC World Service.”

All the deets below.

A shrine for the sit/lie ordinance seen recently on Haight Street:

“Since the March event, the SF Planning Commission and the San Francisco Democratic Party have rejected the ordinance recognizing that a number of laws already exist to address problem behaviors on sidewalks and that sidewalks should be open to public gatherings. This month’s event promises many more colorful and exciting sidewalk celebrations.

SIDEWALKS ARE FOR PEOPLE PART II
All-Day / Citywide Event on Saturday, April 24 in San Francisco

VISUALS: A fabulous drag queen show, musicians, colorful/creative signs, tea parties, and sidewalk sit-ins.
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, throughout the day (See highlighted events for times.)
WHERE: Events planned throughout the city. Here are some highlights. Contact Andy for more info and updates: 415-533-4694.

Music in the Castro: Local musicians playing at Harvey Milk Plaza with the audience sitting and lying around. Castro and Market Streets. Noon – 2:00. Contact Tommi Avicolli Mecca 415-522-6031

Poetry Workshop in the Mission: A poetry workshop while sitting and lying on the sidewalk. 2-3:30pm. Florida Street between 23rd and 24th. Contact: Tiny 510-435-7500

WHAT: SIDEWALKS ARE FOR PEOPLE is a decentralized, citywide celebration of San Francisco’s public space, vibrant culture, and tradition of compassion. People across the city, will be doing what they love on sidewalks (without obstructing them!): barbecues, chalk drawing, chess, yoga, reading, knitting, jump rope, playing music, painting, tea/coffee parties, sunbathing, meditating, DJing, hanging out, tai chi, dancing, anything they like!

WHY: San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsom, and Police Chief George Gascón are pushing the Board of Supervisors to pass a law that would make it illegal to sit or lie on the sidewalk anywhere in San Francisco. We think it’s a violation of basic civil liberties and counter to San Francisco values to criminalize the act of sitting in public space. We think public spaces are safer when people are encouraged to use them to meet with neighbors, friends, family and others.

We believe our sidewalks reflect the diverse, vibrant culture of our city. We believe in freedom of expression, the right to peaceably assemble, and the pursuit of happiness on our sidewalks!

We acknowledge and empathize with legitimate fears or frustrations that people encounter in this city as they share public space with others, but we believe there are better solutions than criminalizing innocent behavior. For starters check out, “A Very Different Approach to the Sit-Lie Law” by Gabriel Haaland. http://tinyurl.com/alternative2SitLie###
PHOTOS, VIDEOS, A COMPLETE LIST OF MEDIA COVERAGE, AND MORE AT:www.StandAgainstSitLie.org

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on Friday, April 23rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm and is filed under crime, protests.
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